Staff raises and market rate adjustments are a few of the proposed highlights after Alexandria City Public Schools got the green light last week by City Council to add $273.03 million to its combined funds budget.
The $14.3 million increase over the current ACPS budget comes at considerable cost to the taxpayer, as last week City Council approved a 2.5-cent tax increase to pay for it and other city services.
The School Board initially wanted $21 million in its combined funds budget request. Now as the school system awaits funding approval from the Virginia General Assembly’s budget later this month, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt is putting the finishing touches to her proposed $384.39 million combined funds budget.
ACPS wants an additional $3.4 million from the state, a 5% increase for a total ask of $71.3 million.
The combined funds budget includes the ACPS operating fund, the grants and special projects fund, and the school nutrition services fund.
According to ACPS: “After these adjustments, the FY 2025 Combined Funds Budget will increase by $10,737,000 to $384.39 million dollars per the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget. The overall Combined Funds Staffing will increase/decrease by 7.4 FTE (full-time employees) to 2,696.70.”
Kay-Wyatt’s operating budget recommendations are below.
- Add a 2% market rate adjustment (MRA) for all eligible employees — $5,350,000
- Add a step increase for all eligible staff who did not get one in FY 2020 — $4,200,000
- Add two full-time elementary advanced academic services teachers — $250,000
- Add one full-time athletic trainer to Alexandria City High School — $115,000
- Add one full-time college and career counselor to Alexandria City High School — $125,000
- Add one full-time psychologist to ACHS — $125,000
- Add two full-time deans of students at George Washington and Francis C. Hammond Middle Schools — $307,000
- Add a part-time family liaison — $65,000
The grants and special services fund recommendations are below.
- Add a 2% MRA for all eligible employees — $250,000
- Add a step increase for all eligible staff who did not receive in FY 2021 — $200,000
- Reduce expenditures in purchased services, materials and supplies and other services to fund staff raises — $450,000
The school nutrition services fund recommendations are below.
- Add a 2% MRA for all eligible employees — $100,000
- Add a step increase for all eligible staff who did not receive in FY 2021 — $100,000
- Federal funds increased for salary compensation — $200,000
The School Board will conduct a public hearing on the budget on Thursday (May 9) at 6:30 p.m. The Board will vote on the budget on June 6.